Building partition structure



1965 E. A. NIDA 3,197,932

BUILDING PARTITION STRUCTURE Filed June 27, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG.I.2

INVENTOR.

EDMUND A. NIDA Aug. 3, 1965 E. A. NIDA BUILDING rmn'rmu smucwuns 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 27. 1960 FIG.6.

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INVENTOR. EDMUND A. NIDA BY LU W QM ATTO NEYS United States Patent '03,197,932 BUELBENG PARIlTl-UN STRUGTURE Edmund A. Nida, Detroit, Mich,assiguor to Advancecraft Aluminum Industries, Inc., a corporation of lttichigan Filed dune 27, 1963, $22. No. 39,085 14 Claims. (Cl. 52-474)The invention relates to building partition structure and refers moreparticularly to partition structure for screened porches and the likeincluding a frame formed of structural members each having the samecross-section which cross-section includes means to facilitate rapidaccurate construction of the frame and means for securing of screens andkick plates or similar panels to the frame.

In the past framing of building partitions to form a screened porch orthe like has required structural members of several differentcross-section and separate'means for securing thereto panels such askick plates. The

storage of different structural shapes and means for se-' curing panelsthereto by dealers in such material adds to the expense of the ultimatepartition formed therewith. In addition often the structural shapes fromwhich the partition frame is constructed andthe separate connectingmeans are so complicated as to require skilled labor to erect.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide buildingpartition structure wherein the frame thereof is formed of structuralmembers having the same cross-sec ion.

Another object is to provide building partition structure wherein thestructural members of the frame include means integral therewith forsecuring kick plates or similar panels thereto.

Another object is to provide building partition structure having a frameformed of structural members having the same cross-section whichcross-section is shaped to facilitate the installation of screens orsimilar panels in the openings defined by said structural members.

Another object is to provide a structural member for framing a buildingpartition structure including means integral therewith for securing kickplates. or similar panels thereto.

Another object is to provide a structural member for framing a buildingpartition structure including means integral therewith for rapidsecuring of screens or other similar panels thereto.

Another object is to provide a structural member for framing a buildingpartition structure including channels extending lengthwise thereofadapted to receive fastening means therein to permit endwise connectionof the structural member to a perpendicular structural member.

Another object is to provide a structural member as set forth aboveincluding grooves extending longitudinally thereof for indicating thecenterdine of the channel.

Another object is to provide building panel structure as set forth abovewhich is simple in construction, economical to manufacture and efficientin use.

Other obiects and features of the invention will be come apparent as thedescription proceeds, especially when taken in conjuiction with theaccompanying drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of theinvention, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation view of building partition structure accordingto the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a section of the building partition structure shown inFIGURE ltaken on the line 2-2 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a partial section of the building partition structure shownin FIGURE 1 taken on the line 3-3 in FIGURE 1.

3,197,932 Patented Aug. 3, 1965 FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of astructural member having a cross-section according to the inventionwhich is used to form the frame of the building partition structureillustrated in FIGURE 1.

. FIGURE 5 is a side View of the structural member illustrated in FIGURE4.

- FIGURE 6 is an end view of the structural member illustrated in FIGURE4.

FIGURE 7 is a top view of the structural member illustrated in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section view of the structuralmember illustrated in FIGURE 4 taken on line 8-8 in FIGURE 5.

With reference to the figures a particular embodiment of the inventionwill now be disclosed.

In accordance with the invention the building partition structure Itillustrated in FIGURES 1-3, is framed with structural members 12 havingthe same cross-section which cross-section is shown best in FIGURE 6.The structural member 12 includes means, generally indi- V cated 14, forsecuring a kick plate 16 or similar panel thereto and means generallyindicated 18 to facilitate securing of screens thereto. In addition thestructural member 12. includes channels 2t locating grooves 22, lockingbeads 24, and locking grooves 26 as shown in FIGURE 6 to facilitaterapid accurate construction of a building partition structure frame byunskilled labor in a minimum of time.

More specifically the structural members 12 may be extruded or otherwiseformed of metal, such as aluminum, plastic, or other suitable material.The specific material of which the structural member 12 is made willdepend of course on the kind of building partition to be made therefromand the location in which the partition is to be used. Similarly it willbe understood that the method of producing the structural member 12. inthe cross-section shown in FIGURE 6 may vary with the differentmaterials of which the structural member is made.

The'means l4 integral with the structural member 12 for securing a kickplate or similar panel thereto cornprises a pair of adjacent recesses 28and 30 having adja cent substantially vertical sides 32 and 34 and othersides 36 and 38, respectively, tapering away from the adjacent verticalsides outwardly of the structural member 12, as shown in FIGURE 8. Theadjacent vertical walls 32 and 34 of the recesses 28 and 39 form arelatively thin rib 4t) therebetween having a locking head 42 at theouter end thereof extending longitudinally of structural member 12 andtoward recess 28 as shown. Recess 23 which is substantially deeper thanrecess 36? includes a locking bead 44 on the tapered side 36 thereofextending longitudinally of structural member 12 and toward recess 3%.

When it is desired to secure a kick plate 16 or similar panel to thestructural member 12, the kick plate is positioned in recess 28 andabutted against the bottom thereof. A closing instrument is placed inrecess 36 and the rib 4- is bent toward the recess 28 whereby the edgeof the kick plate within the recess 25 is secured between the locking,'bead 42 of the rib 4t) and the locking bead 4- on the tapered side ofthe recess 23.

As the kick plate 16 is positioned in recess 23 it will first contactthe surface 36 of recess 28 at some point above the locking head 44. Theedge of the kick plate 16 will travel along surface 36 as the kick plateis forced further into recess 28 until the edge thereof contacts lookinghead 44 which is located slightly below mid depth of the recess 28 asshown in FIGURE 8. The kick plate is then forced over locking bead 4 andinto contact with looking bead 42. The two locking beads create abinding action during final seating of the kick plate 16 in recess Thebinding action between the locking beads 42 and 44 is aided in securelyholding the kick plate in a building panel ltl due to possible slightvariation in the location of recess 28 in the individual framing membersdue to manufacturing tolerances and the practical impossibility ofperfectly aligning the individual framing members 12 in the constructionof a building panel It).

Should the binding action between the locking beads 42 and 44 be sogreat as to start to prevent the complete installation of the kick plate16 in the recess 23 the rib 44 will be bent toward recess 3% to permitfurther instal lation of the kick plate in the'recess 28. Should thekick plate be loose in recess 28 after being installed therein the rib4t may be bent toward recess as previously indicated.

Thus a kick plate or similar panel may be secured to the structuralmember 12 as desired without the use of separate attaching means whichmay become lost or damaged before it is desired to assemble the kickplate 16 with the structural member 12. In securing the kick plate 16within the recess 23 the rib 4 3 and recess 30 have the double purposeof permitting expansion of the recess 23 should the kick plate be sowide as'to require such expansion and allowing thin kick plates to beheld tightly within recess 28.

The means 18 for facilitating the attachment of a screen or similarpanel to the structural member 12 includes the recess 48 in wall as ofthe structural member 12 and retaining bead 52 extending longitudinallyof the structural member 12 and into the recess 48 as shown.

When it is desired to secure a screen 54 to the structural member 12 itis necessary to place the edge of the screen over the open side of therecess 43 and to force the screen into the recess 4% by means of amolding strip 56 of plastic or other deformable material. The screen 54-is thus firmly held between the molding strip 56 in recess 4% and theretaining bead 52.

Channels 23 are provided on the interior of wall 62 of the structuralmember 12 as shown. The channels 20 are formed of arcuate flanges 58 and69 extending longitudinally of the structural member 12 and outwardlyfrom wall s2 as shown. The channels Zll as previously indicated and asillustrated in FIGURE 3 are useful in permitting endwise connection ofone structural member 12 to the wall 62 of a perpendicularly orientatedsimilar structural member 12 by means of self-threading screws 64.

The locating grooves 22 which extend longitudinally of framing members12 are provided to permit accurate drilling of openings for screws 64through the structural members 12 into channels 2i so that accuraterapid alignment of the structural members 12 may be provided in assemblyof a building partition structure as shown in FIGURE 1.

Similarly locking grooves 26 and locking beads 24 are provided on wallsdand 68 and walls and 7t respectively of the structural member 12 topermit aligning of adjacent structural members 12 and to aid in lockingadjacent structural members together in conjunction with bolts '72 asshown in FIGURE 3.

As previously indicated structural members 12 having the cross-sectionshown in FIGURE 6 may be used to provide the total framing of a buildingpartition structure such as that illustrated in FIGURE 1. In erecting abuilding partition structure as shown in FIGURE 1 the frame is firstconstructed of structural members 12 connected as shown best in FIGURES2 and 3.

The connections between structural members 12 shown in detail in FIGURES2 and 3 illustrate the flexibility of the structural member 12 inproviding both vertical and horizontal framing members for the buildingpartition structure. The framing members may be attached to the usualbuilding structure by means of bolts secured to the building structure.In addition, as set forth above, the installation of kick plates 16 andscreens 54 or similar panels within the openings provided in thebuilding partition structure frame is easily accomplished due to theparticular cross-section of the structural members 12.

Thus, as previously indicated, to install a kick plate in the buildingpartition structure illustrated in FIGURE 1, it is merely necessary toinsert the kick plate within the recess 23 provided in the structuralmembers 12 and to bend the ribs 46 toward the kick plate to lock thekick plate between the locking beads 42 and 44 where the kick plate isso thin as to require bending of rib 49.

The installation of a screen within the opening in the buildingpartition structure shown in FIGURE 1 is equally as simple. In suchinstallation the screen is cut to a size slightly larger than the frameopening therefor so that the screen edges when the screen is held overthe opening in the frame project over the open recesses Molding strips56 are then forced into the recesses forcing the screen edges into therecesses 48 with them, whereby the screens are locked between theretaining bead 52 and the molding strip 56.

. Thus it will be seen that in accordance with the invention a buildingpartition structure is provided which is constructed of structuralmembers having a single crosssection which structural members areadapted to be rapidly and accurately secured together. in additionparticular means are provided integral with the structural mem bers forlocking kick plates within openings in a building partition structureframe. constructed of structural members according to the inventionwithout the use of separate complicated fastening devices and means areprovided to permit rapid, simple installation of screens in openingsprovided in the building partition structure frame by unskilled persons.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A structural member for framing building partitions comprising ahollow channel including a connecting wall between two walls extendingperpendicular to said connecting wall, said connecting wall having apair of longitudinally extending adjacent recesses therein forming a ribtherebetween, and means within one of said recess-es cooperable withsaid rib for securing the edge of a panel therein. I 7

2. A structural member for framing building partitions comprising ahollow channel including a connecting wall between two walls extendingperpendicular tosaid con necting wall, said connecting wall having apair of longitudinally extending adjacent recesses therein forming a ribtherebetween, a longitudinally extending locking bead on the side of oneof said recesses opposite said rib, a longitudinally extending lockinghead on said rib projecting into said one recess, said locking beadscooperating to secure therebetween the edge of a panel inserted in saidone recess.

3. A structural member for framing building partitions comprising ahollow channel including a connecting wall between two walls extendingperpendicular to said connecting wall, said connecting wall having apair of longitudinally extending adjacent recesses therein forming a ribtherebetween, one of said recesses being deeper than the other, alongitudinally extending locking bead centrally of the side of said onerecess opposite said rib, a longitudinally extending locking bead onsaid rib adjacent the outer end thereof and projecting into said onerecess, said locking beads cooperating to secure the edge of a panelinserted in said one recess therebetween.

4. Building partition structure comprising a frame constructed entirelyof structural members all of which have the same generally U-shapedcross-section including a connecting wall between two walls extendingsubstantially perpendicular thereto, a pair of longitudinally extendingadjacent recesses in the connecting wall of said structural membersforming a rib there-between, means within one of said recesses forsecuring the edge of a panel therein in conjunction with said rib, andpanels secured within openings formed by said frame by said means inconjunction with said rib.

'5. Building partition structure comprising a frame constructed entirelyof structural members all of which have the same generally U-shapedcross-section including a connecting wall bebtween two walls extendingsubstantially perpendicular thereto, a pair of longitudinally extendingadjacent recesses in the connecting wall of said structural membersforming a rib there'between, one of said recesses including alongitudinally extending locking bead on the side thereof opposite saidrib, a longitudinally extending locking bead on said rib projecting intosaid on recess, said locking beads being operable to secure the edge ofa panel therebetween within said one recess, and panels secured Withinopenings formed by said frame by said beads.

6. Building partition structure comprising a frame constructed entirelyof structural members all of which have the same generally U-shapedcross-section including a connecting wall between two wallsjkextendingsubstantially perpendicular thereto, a pair of longitudinally extendingadjacent recesses in the connecting wall of said structural membersforming a rib therebetween, one of said recesses being deeper than theother, a longitudinally extending locking bead located centrally of theside of said one recess opposite said rib, a longitudinally extendinglocking bead on said rib adjacent the outer end thereof and projectinginto said one recess, said locking beads being operable to secure theedge of a panel therebetween within said one recess, and panels secured.within openings formed by said frame by said beads.

7. A single elongated structural member adapted for complete framing ofa building partition having parallel walls and a connecting wall forminga generally U-shaped cross section, flanges depending substantiallyperpendicularly from the outer edges of the parallel walls of thestructural member extending toward each other for the length of themember and having longitudinally extending locking grooves in the outersurface thereof, longitudinally extending locking beads in parallelspaced relation on the outer surface of the parallel walls of thestructural member, a pair of oppositely curved longitudinally extendingarcuate members integral with and extending inwardly of the connectingwall of the structural member, a longitudinally extending locatinggroove on the outer surface of the connecting wall of the structuralmember positioned centrally of each pair of the oppositely curvedarcuate members, a longitudinally extending recess in one of theparallel walls of the structural member opening outwardly of thestructural member, a retaining bead projecting into said recess at theopen side thereof, a pair of longitudinally extending adjacent recessesin th connecting wall of the structural member forming a ribtherebetween, a longitudinally extending locking bead centrally of theside of one of said pair of recesses opposite said rib, and alongitudinally extending locking bead at the outer end of said ribprojecting into said one recess.

8. Structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said one of said pair ofrecesses is deeper than the other of said pair of recesses.

9. A single elongated structural member adapted for complete framing ofa building partition having parallel walls and a connecting wall forminga generally U-shaped cross-section, a pair of longitudinally extendingadjacent recesses in the connecting Wall of the structural memberforming a rib therebetween, a longitudinally extending locking beadcentrally of the side of one of said pair of recesses opposite said rib,and a longitudinally extending locking bead at the outer end of said ribprojecting into said one recess.

10. Structure as set forth in claim 9 wherein said o of said pair ofrecesses is deeper than the other of said pair of recesses.

1.1. Structure as set forth in claim 9 wherein one of the parallel wallsof the structural member has a longitudinally extending recess thereinopening outwardly of the structural member and further including alongitudinally extending retaining bead projecting into said recess atthe open side thereof.

12. Structure as set forth in claim 9 and further includinglongitudinally extending flanges depending substantially perpendicularlyfrom the outer edges of the parallel walls of the structural member andextending toward each other for the length of the member and havinglongitudinally extending locking grooves in the outer surface thereof.

'13. Structure as set forth in claim 9 and further includinglongitudinally extending locking beads in parallel spaced relation onthe outer surface of the parallel walls of the structural member.

14. Structure as set forth in claim 9 and further including a pair ofoppositely curved longitudinally extending arcuate members integral withand extending inwardly of the connecting wall of the structural memberand a longitudinally extending locating groove on the outer surface ofthe connecting wall of the structural member positioned centrally of thepair of oppositely curved arcuate members.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,417,102 5/22Nyman et al. 189-34 2,395,878 3/46 Keene 29509 2,579,157 12/ 51 Price18934 2,736,403 2/56 Gwynne 18936 X 2,752,672 7/56 Tol-man 294552,765,056 =10/56 Tyree 189-46 2,778, 1/57 Liprnan 29-509 2,837,153 6/58Brown et al 189-36 X 2,918,708 12/59 Sharp et al 189-436 X 2,997,1428/61 Engholm 18934 3,002,235 10/61 Fountain 18941 X FOREIGN PATENTS478,652 7/29 Great Britain.

RICHARD W. COOKE, 1a., Primary Examiner.

JOEL REZNEK, Examiner.

1. A STRUCTURAL MEMBER FOR FRAMING BUILDING PARTITIONS COMPRISING AHOLLOW CHANNEL INCLUDING A CONNECTING WALL BETWEEN TWO WALLS EXTENDINGPERPENDICULAR TO SAID CONNECTING WALL, SAID CONNECTING WALL HAVING APAIR OF LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING ADJACENT RECESSES THEREIN FORMING A RIBTHEREBETWEEN, AND MEANS WITHIN ONE OF SAID RECESSES COOPERABLE WITH SAIDRIB FOR SECURING THE EDGE OF A PANEL THEREIN.